“Evening…. commmmmmissioner….”
“ON TUESDAY, 01/22/08, AT APPROXIMATELY 1530 HOURS, IN THE CONFINES OF THE 5 PRECINCT, POLICE RESPONDED TO 421 BROOME STREET AND FOUND A MALE, WHITE, 28, UNCONSCIOUS. THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DOA AT THE SCENE. M.E.’S OFFICE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.”
So, in case you haven’t heard from all over the place… Heath Ledger is dead.
One time, years back, I remember waking up on Saturday morning and having my dad tell me that “Siskel & Ebert” won’t be on because Gene Siskel was dead. That was the first time someone I knew from TV died, and I remember being kind of upset because “Siskel & Ebert” was just something we always watched on Saturday. It was really sudden, and I remember it was the first time I actually thought “but he looked so young and healthy!” when responding to someone’s death.
Apparently this was a suicide, so all bets are off. Being young and healthy has nothing to do with it if you’re still fighting demons in your own head.
RIP, Heath.
So what does this mean for the Batman movie, I wonder? Filming is already complete so it can still be released as scheduled. Delaying it would only be a knee-jerk reaction to an immediate tragedy… kind of like how The Sarah Connor Chronicles was supposed to have the ‘terminator hunts John in school’ scene redone because of the Virginia Tech shooting, then never did because we all apparently got over it in time. I hope this is not delayed, because it really doesn’t need to be, and I think the Joker will be Heath’s career defining role. And like any good “artist,” the value of their work always increases after their death.
I had doubts about him being cast as the Joker at first, but when I read director Chris Nolan’s reasoning, I was convinced. And after seeing the trailer, there is no doubt… this is the Joker. I always hated Jack Nicholson’s version, even though everybody else swears it’s the best. Jack Nicholson always just kind of looked like a guy in a Halloween costume to me. This new Joker looks as messed up as the Joker should.
“Why so serious?”
I remember once hearing that celebrities die in threes. Brad Renfro was one week ago to the day. Next Tuesday it has to be someone else if this “three” theory is correct. Britney Spears is the clear choice, but that’s too obvious. Let’s say… Barry Watson. That would be just as surprising.
I also used to watch ‘Siskel and Ebert’ with my dad. I loved that show - when it changed to ‘Ebert and Roeper’ after Siskel died it just wasn’t the same.
I was astonished when I heard that Heath died. I was in the car in the way back from school and they said, “A celebrity has been found dead..” My first though, “BRITNEY SPEARS KILLED HERSELF..” I mean that would be the most logical because of everything she has been going through..but when they said, “Heath Ledger found dead…” I almost had a panic attack. I was like, “WHAT!? OHHH MY GOOD….OHH MY GOOD..I GOTTA CALL ADAM!!” I was soo fuckin surprised. I still am. So sad.
I think him being the Joker is going to be fuckin awesome.
My wife and I still watch At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper, even though Ebert isn’t on right now.
It’s still a great show and an amazing way to keep up with the good films out there, plus the little ones you miss along the way.
And I agree, this is some horrible news…
It isn’t kind of wierd….how you never really pay attention or care about an actor until you hear that they are dead?
I was so so so sad yesterday when I heard the news. It was like he was suddenly my best friend or something and I was devastated.
I felt the same way when steve irwin died. I can’t explain it. I guess I just have a big heart and feel bad for their families and friends.
RIP
Brad Renfro died?! WTF! How did I not know this? I can’t take anymore devastation of hot guys dying
As I was telling Kyle last night. It really is a shock about Heath Ledger. You kinda see the death of a lot of celebrities coming. Drugs, booze, illness and/or old age. Him, never had a clue.
How wierd is it going to be if ole barry drops dead?